Red Wings to Honor Gordie Howe With Commemorative patch and Number Painted on Ice

Today the Detroit Red Wings announced that they will wear a commemorative 9 patch on their jerseys for the duration of the 2016-2017 regular season in honor of “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, who passed away in June at the age of 88.

The patch will make its debut on October 13th when the Wings start off the season in Tampa Bay vs the Lightning. The commemorative 9 patch will be on the left side of the home and away jerseys for the rest of the season.

The Red Wings will also have a 4×4 red “9” painted behind the nets on the Ice to honor Gordie Howe throughout the pre-season and during the regular season as the Red Wings also play their final season at Joe Louis Arena. President and CEO of Olympia Entertainment Tom Wilson addressed the announcement.

“Our team wanted to honor ‘Mr. Hockey,’ due to his incredible impact on the game of hockey, the Red Wings organization and the city of Detroit,” said Wilson. “Wearing the ‘9’ jersey patch will be one of many ways our team will celebrate and look back on the life and career of Gordie during the upcoming season.”

The Red Wings will also honor Howe with an in game tribute during their home opener against the Ottawa Senators on October 17th. All fans in attendance will receive a free Gordie Howe poster. November 4th when the Winnipeg Jets come to town, the first 5,000 fans attendance will receive a six-inch replica of the Howe statue that’s seen inside of Joe Louis Arena.